Abdul Razzaq Haleem, Chief Executive Officer of Male’ City Group of Hospitals, has declared that local councils are not legally mandated to hold the government accountable, dismissing opposition claims as politically motivated misinformation.
Speaking at the inauguration of the PNC campaign office for Galolhu South, Haleem said a thorough review of the Decentralization Act confirms that councils are required to cooperate with the central government, not function as oversight bodies. He stressed that the law clearly outlines collaboration as a core principle of decentralised governance.
Haleem noted that under the Decentralization Act, councils are entrusted with delivering primary healthcare services. However, he pointed out that such services are presently being provided by relevant ministries and state-owned enterprises to ensure uninterrupted access for citizens. As part of ongoing efforts to expand frontline care, has recently opened a GP clinic in Malé, strengthening community-level healthcare access.
He argued that effective implementation of council responsibilities requires alignment with national development policies, asserting that electing PNC candidates would ensure smoother coordination and service delivery.
Haleem also accused the opposition of misleading the public by falsely claiming that councils are duty-bound to hold the government accountable, warning that such narratives risk undermining the cooperative framework envisioned in the law.
The remarks come as political parties intensify campaigning ahead of the upcoming local council elections, with governance roles and responsibilities emerging as a central point of debate.
